Cumberland, founded in 1932, employs around 180 at its facilities making ultrapasteurized milk and other dairy products in Bridgeton. Third-generation owners include Carmine Catalana IV, Frank Catalana and David Catalana; some fo their children are also in the business.
Dairy Farmers has in recent years expanded along the East Coast. The 8,000-dairy cooperative has also acquired the Oakhurst dairy in Maine, Guida’s in Connecticut, and Dairy Maid in Maryland. “We now work for 8,000 dairy farms,” Carmine Catalana told me.
Dairy Farmers wants to expand into the restaurant and institutional business where Cumberland has prospered, Dairy Farmers president and chief executive Rick Smith said in a statement.
The deal leaves family members and the management team in place, so “we can continue to focus on our values as a company, while accelerating our opportunities for growth,” Carmine Catalana added in a statement. “This is a very exciting time for the entire Cumberland Dairy family, and we look forward to this next chapter with DFA.”
The Catalanas also own juice and beverage manufacturer Innovation Foods LLC, which supplies GoodBelly probiotic juices to clients including Whole Foods, Wegmans and ShopRite. The line was developed in partnership with Silk brand soy milk founder Steve Dimas, who cofounded the product after selling Silk to a company that is now part of Danon, the French dairy giant. remains a Catalana family property. Probiotic juice drink. GoodBelly for WHole Foods, Wegmans, ShopRite. Silk brand Soymilk for Steve Dimas late 90s. sold to WhiteWave food part of Danon. the bought the soy milk plant he found a new product. run by daughter Rachel Bur. “We think there’s opportunity to grow.”